MBDance’s New Piece

divine/shadow will eventually be a group dance–a coming-out of  the ways we know God, from drag queens to romance, and an ode to our divine life-force. So far, we’ve had some great playshops in the studio and Maria has gathered a dynamic team of collaborators including image maker/designer and professor Nontsikelelo Mutiti. We’re thrilled to have just been awarded a summer residency through The Field for the creative process! Here we go!

Next Performance: Call to Action Benefit Show-Documenting the Journey

photo by Will S. Orellana

March 29–Maria is sharing source material for our work-in development divine/shadow. Urban Bush Women (UBW) is raising money to support community-building in Birmingham & documentation of their methodology via a 10-minute webisode (video art primarily used online). MBDance is happy to support UBW, and the rest of the line-up is phenomenal!

Also performing: UBW, Ashley Phillips/APSoul, Marjani Forte, Ngozi Flux, 651 ARTS

JACK, Brooklyn NY
505 1/2 Waverly Ave. Between Fulton & Atlantic in Clinton Hill
(C or G train to Clinton-Washington)
8pm
Cash donation at door, $18+

How are you sweating?

We want to know how YOU sweat your truth. Are you teaching a dance class, running a mile per day, kickboxing, or something else? Click HERE to share your physical practice and we’ll feature you in the next MBDance e-blast!

Thank you

Thank you for supporting MBDance. We appreciate your contributions. Please click here to invest: The Field–MBDance

MBDance is a sponsored artist with Performance Zone Inc (dba The Field), a not-for-profit, tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) organization serving the performing arts community. Contributions to The Field earmarked for MBDance are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

MBDance at American Dance Festival Winter Intensive

  JAN 4–Maria is thrilled to moderate a panel she put together for the ADF Winter Intensive. 

We Stand on their Shoulders: Choreographers Who Dance New York

How can we be successful choreographers in New York? What does success in that realm even look like? Jawole Zollar, Nia Love, and Arthur Aviles will share their current projects; observations about the performing arts landscape as it has and has not changed for young artists, women, and people of color; and lessons they have learned along the way.  

JAN 6 & 7–MBDance teaches contemporary classes at the ADF Winter Intensive, New York. 

MBDance classes broaden the dancers’ physical resources while remaining true to their current range and strengths– contemporary dance emphasizing powerful, spatial fluidity and floorwork. We sweat our truths, flying into the floor safely and using our hands like feet! You can watch video and learn more about the work at www.mbdance.org.

Maria Bauman begins class at 2011 ADF Winter Intensive

Next Performance: Micia Mosely & Friends

photo by Will S. Orellana

JAN 15–Actor and comedian Micia Mosely shares the stage with talented friends: singer songwriters Ganessa & Tiffany James; Maria Bauman of MBDance, poet extraordinaire Charan Morris and more, including special guest star IDA (Micia’s mother)! This show is not to be missed. Maria will share source material for MBDance’s work-in-development Divine Shadow.

WOW Cafe Theater: 61 East 4th St.
9pm
$10

Don’t Miss Out!

Did you know that Maria co-teaches a contemporary dance class at Cumbe every Thursday night with Samantha Speis? Part of her work with Urban Bush Women, the class is an exploration of UBW’s style and technique. Join us!
Thursdays 6:00-7:30
558 Fulton Street, 2nd Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11217
www.cumbedance.com

Thank you for supporting MBDance. We appreciate your contributions. Please click here to invest: The Field–MBDance

MBDance is a sponsored artist with Performance Zone Inc (dba The Field), a not-for-profit, tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) organization serving the performing arts community. Contributions to The Field earmarked for MBDance are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Time to reflect on 2012…

Premiered Stand at SummerStage       

Guest artist at Long Island University

Summer Intensive at Peridance

Concerning Proximity at BAAD!

DanceNow RAW Festival

and  more!

Time to share…

Our country is faces challenge and promise. The fiscal cliff, or economic showdown, is about real values and real people. Those people are us. We can learn and share with each other to better understand what it all means. Maria was honored to work on www.fiscalcliffmatters.tumblr.com with a group of folks invited to the White House to learn and discuss. Check out the site here and SHARE YOUR VOICE. 

Time to dance…

photo: Lucilene Barbosa

Up Next: Maria shows a solo from the latest in-progress MBDance piece for MICIA MOSELY & FRIENDS at WOW Cafe Theatre January 15, 2013 9pm.

Did you miss the Digital Duets featuring Nicholas Leichter and Maria Bauman with movers in Korea at La MaMa? See the footage HERE.

MBDance Artistic Director Maria Bauman is dancing in Digital Duets NYC + Seoul!

This Friday night at LaMama Experimental Theater Club, Maria will improvise solo, with Nicholas Leichter, and with dancers in Seoul, Korea via live technology; not to be missed!

Media Circus brings together artists and audiences from diverse cultures and disciplines. Telepresence technology will be used to facilitate multi-location performances and arts education events.

When: November 23, 2012  8:00
Where: La MaMa Ellen Stewart Theatre, 66 East 4th Street 2nd floor NY, NY
Tickets: Day Pass $15 CLICK HERE.
More Info: www.culturehub.org/media-circus

4pm Audio Visual Meditations
Neel Murgai
Joshue Ott
Baba Israel

7:30pm SENSE/ABILITY
Khairani Barokka
Dizzy Senze

8pm Digital Duets
Jayoung Chung
Nicholas Leichter
Maria Bauman

LIU DANCERS STAND!

December 7 & 8, 2012                                                       

                  
Florida State University dancers in beginning material for    MBDance’s “Stand” Photo: Aubrie Rodriguez

MBDance company members have re-staged our newest piece Stand for advanced dancers at Long Island University. They have been working hard and are truly embodying the grit and emotion of the piece.

Stand is a personal exploration of bipolar disorder, intent on exploding the myth that we are not all grappling with mental illness in one way or another.

When: December 7, 2012  7:30/December 8, 2012 2:00 & 8:00
Where: Kumble Theater, 1 University Plaza Brooklyn, NY
Tickets: $15/$10 for students with ID and senior citizens Box Office: 718.488.1624

HOW DO YOU SWEAT YOUR TRUTH?

Merriam-Webster says “Sweat: to labor or exert oneself so as to cause perspiration,” and the Urban Dictionary says “Sweat: to like or adore. to copy or imitate.” We say yes to all of it! We dance to put our own truths on stage, to exert our manifestations of self through our bodies.

MBDance supporters are doing the same. Sweat Your Truth!

Charlotte Rosen

Charlotte Rosen
For me, sweating your truth is centered around sharing what you love with others. Simply going through motions is NOT enough. You must get into the thick of what you are most passionate about and turn up the volume to the max! I sweat my truth by bringing dance into the classroom- from the novice to the proficient dancer, I love sharing my lineage with all types of bodies!

WANT TO CONTRIBUTE?

MBDance is a sponsored artist with Performance Zone Inc (dba The Field), a not-for-profit, tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) organization serving the performing arts community.
Please click here.  

MBDANCE WISHES YOU WELL. TAKE CARE.

This summer in New York, we were thrilled to premiere Stand at SummerStage, and to share 50 Ways to Say…

Did you miss it, or want to relive the piece? Take a look at excerpts from Stand on our Vimeo page:

REVIEW OF ANY RESEMBLANCE

Maria Bauman is collaborating with Jen Abrams on Abrams’s latest creation. They just finished preview performances of a section that will be part of the run at New York’s La MaMa Experimental Theater in the summer of 2013. A multimedia work with video installation by Matt Tennie, Any Resemblance is centered on an interracial couple’s quest to have a baby.

“(Bauman) wriggles between Abrams’ pregnant belly and the countertop without touching either and tenderly wraps her arms around Abrams’ middle. This moment is so intimate and revealing it need not be translated in words.” Read the rest of the Dance Enthusiast review HERE. 

Any Resemblance

HOW DO YOU SWEAT YOUR TRUTH?

Merriam-Webster says “Sweat: to labor or exert oneself so as to cause perspiration,” and the Urban Dictionary says “Sweat: to like or adore. to copy or imitate.” We say yes to all of it! We dance to put our own truths on stage, to exert our manifestations of self through our bodies.

MBDance supporters are doing the same. Sweat Your Truth!

Alice Sheppard, photo by Britten Traughber

Alice Sheppard
How am I sweating my truth? By tackling disability, ugliness, beauty, strength and the common conceptions of a dancing body. I’m working to find beauty in the excesses that represent failure.

Dominic Bradley
I took the plunge in late August and signed up for Maria’s 4-day contemporary dance workshop. I was excited but also nervous because it was the first of its kind that I had attempted.  I also found myself contending with that niggling voice inside that said because I had a bigger body I couldn’t be a dancer. I came to each day of the workshop terrified but game. Learning “Stand” as part of the repertory section was revelatory. I live with bipolar disorder, and it has long been my dream to develop highly physical performance work on the subject of mental illness. Maria definitely showed me the way forward…I look forward to more opportunities to work with Maria and to expand my body of work to include more dance/movement. www.dommebomb.com

Click “Contact Us” on the MBDance website to share how YOU sweat your truth. 

JUST FOR ARTISTS & ARTS ADMINISTRATORS–UNDERSTANDING & UNDOING RACISM TRAINING

We’ll be there; join us!

www.MBDance.org

Dance critic and scholar Eva Yaa Asantewaa recently featured Maria Bauman on her Infinite Body blog via the Listen podcast. Maria discussed everything from recent work she’s admired to politics and the meaning of sweat!

Listen: CLICK HERE
InfiniteBody: arts, culture and the creative mind by Eva Yaa Asantewaa: CLICK HERE

What’s Next?

Any Resemblance, performed by Jen Abrams and Maria Bauman; video by Matt Tennie

  Any Resemblance–Maria is collaborating with choreographer Jen Abrams on a multi-media piece about a queer interracial couple trying to have a baby. The work will eventually live online and live in the La MaMa lobby. First, though, we are previewing in Jen’s kitchen; join us! 

When: Oct 6 & 7, 2012 4:30 & 5:30
Where: 370 Park Place Brooklyn, NY
Cost: FREE
To RSVP: CLICK HERE

MBDance’s “Stand,” photo by Hollie Grimshaw

Stand–Dancers at Long Island University are taking on Stand, MBDance’s piece about the perils of loving and mental health disorders.

When: Dec 7 & 8, 2012
Where: Kumble Theater Brooklyn, NY

Lots of Teaching!

Last month, we had a lovely workshop at Peridance.
Currently, MBDance is at Hunter College and is loving setting our newest work Stand on a gorgeous and hungry student cast at Long Island University Brooklyn Campus. 

A Long Island University dancer warms up before “Stand” rehearsal

Maria explains the nuances of “Stand” to LIU dancers.

We also just had a great visit to Connecticut College where MBDance has been a frequent guest artist. 

Chatting with young dancers

Interested in bringing MBDance to teach at your venue? Go to www.mbdance.org, and click “Contact.”

Bodies That Matter

Check out the website for Dreamers Adrift. They are undocumented young people who have grown up in the U.S. and are organizing around their right to be here.
And check out the UndocuBus. It is traveling around the country to challenge ideas and laws about which bodies are in and which are out here in the U.S. 

www.dreamersadrift.com

www.nopapersnofear.org

A dance and social justice company that has influenced each of the MBDancers, particularly MBDance founder Maria Bauman, needs our support. Urban Bush Women continues to lift up “untold and under-told stories through dance.” They travel around the world facilitating workshops for a myriad of groups, all centered on movement and healing. And UBW is facing some challenges. They have a goal of raising $3000 by September 30 in honor of the company’s upcoming 30th Anniversary. Please help–time is ticking!

For Urban Bush Women’s Causes Page CLICK HERE.

Sweat Your Truth!

Designed by Charlotte Rosen

We want to know how you are sweating your truth. Click “Contact Us” at www.mbdance.org to share your unique way of honoring your body and your experience. Send us a photo and a short description. We will feature 2 selected Truth Sweat-ers in the next MBDance newsletter!

Photo: Lucilene Barbosa

MBDance classes focus on broadening the dancers’ physical resources while remaining true to their current range and strengths– contemporary dance emphasizing powerful, spatial fluidity and floorwork. We sweat our truths, flying into the floor safely and using our hands like feet!
Dancers with all shades of experience are welcome.

Workshop Fees:
Single Class $18
Full Workshop $72

We are honored to be presented by SummerStage this Saturday!

When: August 11, 2012 at 8:00 pm
Where: Marcus Garvey Park, Madison Ave, E. 120-124 St.
Cost: FREE!

Join us for one of New York’s treasures–free outdoor summer concerts. We are thrilled to be part of New York’s SummerStage Series, and honored to share the evening with Kùlú Mèlé African Dance & Drum Ensemble!
MBDance will show a word premiere, Stand, a personal exploration of bipolar disorder intent on exploding the myth that we are not all grappling with mental illness one way or another. We are also showing 50 Ways to Say…, catalyzed by the murder of Sean Bell and so many other black men by police officers.

LET YOUR SOUL FLY
Come fly into the floor with us!

When: August 27-30th, 2012 4:30-6:00pm
Where: Peridance Capezio Center, 126 East 13th Street, NY
Cost: Single class-$17, Full Workshop-$68
To Register: Click here.

Maria Bauman will teach a contemporary workshop this summer at Peridance that you do not want to miss! MBDance classes broaden dancers’ physical resources while remaining true to their current range and strengths–contemporary dance emphasizing powerful, spatial fluidity and floor-work. We sweat our truths, flying into the floor safely and using our hands like feet!
Dancers with all shades of experience are welcome.

THANKFUL FOR MBDANCE & FRIENDS!

We are overwhelmed with gratitude to everyone who came to our July show MBDance & Friends: Sweat Your Truth! Thanks to all of the amazing artists who came out to share their work with us: Kelly Zen-Yie Tsai, Paloma McGregor/Angela’s Pulse, Kendra Ross, Ashely Phillips, and to the MBDancers Zoe Rabinowitz, Kendra Ross, Chanon Judson, and Samantha Speis.Thanks also go out to Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods for their generous donations of food and beverages.

BODIES THAT MATTER

Check out the website for Dreamers Adrift. They are undocumented young people who have grown up in the U.S. and are organizing around their right to be here.

www.dreamersadrift.com

“A creative project ABOUT undocumented youth, BY undocumented youth, and FOR undocumented youth. We are trying to document the undocumented. We’re putting our life on display through videos, art, music, spoken word, prose and poetry. 4 Lives… 4 College Grads… Representing 1 DREAM for countless others.”

KEEP SWEATING YOUR TRUTH–YOUR OWN PARTICULAR PERSPECTIVE–AND WE’LL SEE YOU AT SUMMERSTAGE NEXT SATURDAY!

Join us at WOW Cafe Theater on July 13 & 14 with some of our favorite people!

This is a fundraising concert for our SummerStage premiere
and it’s going to be fabulous!

Tickets: www.mbdancesweat.eventbrite.com 

Dance your Spirit!

August 27-30, 2012

Maria Bauman will teach a contemporary workshop this summer at Peridance that you do not want to miss!
MBDance classes broaden dancers’ physical resources while remaining true to their current range and strengths–contemporary dance emphasizing powerful, spatial fluidity and floor-work. We sweat our truths, flying into the floor safely and using our hands like feet!
Dancers with all shades of experience are welcome.

Maria taught dancers at FSU earlier this year!

When: August 27th-30th, 2012  4:30-6:00pm
Where: Peridance Capezio Center International Dance School, 126 East 13th Street, NY.
Cost: Single class-$17, Full Workshop-$68
For More Info & To Register: Click here. 

MBDance Says “Hello!”

Oceane Hooks-Camilleri joins our team as an intern. Oceane recently graduated from Connecticut College with a B.A. in American Studies and Art Activism.  She is interested in dance as a tool for social change and exploring dance in conjunction with other art forms such as spoken word poetry. She is so excited to join the MBDance team this summer!
And we are sad to say “goodbye” to our fabulous intern Charlotte Rosen, but we are thrilled for her as she branches out into teaching. 

Would You Like to Make a Tax-deductible Donation?

MBDance is a sponsored artist with Performance Zone Inc (dba The Field), a not-for-profit, tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) organization serving the performing arts community.
Please click here.